Steeeotype plates in the foem



(No Model.)

B. E. PRATT. DEVICE FOR SECURING STEREOTYPB PLATES IN THE FORM.

No. 300,731. Patented June 17, 1884.

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EDWIN E. PRATT, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO THE A. N. KELLOGG NEWSPAPER COMPANY, OF SAME PLACE.

DEVICE FOR SECURING STEREOTYPE-PLATES IN THE -FORM.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 300,731, dated June 17, 1884.

Application filed June 29, 1883. (No model.)

' tached to their supporting blocks or beds are secured to said blocks while they are in the form. My object therein has been to devise a simple means for the performance of this function without the employment of friction exerted upon the plate.

The invention consists in the combination of a plate and a supporting-bed divided vertically into halves, and a fastening device-having lateral enlargements at each end thereof, both the plate and one or both the abutting faces of halves of the block having recesses adapted to receive and engage said enlargements upon the fastening device, substantially as hereinafter specified; and, secondly, in the combination of a recessed plate, a supporting- .block divided vertically into halves, and a fastening device consisting of a spring held at its lower end in the block by the embrace of the parts of the latter, and adapted to be pressed into position to lock the plate by the bringing of the halves of the block together, substantially as specified.

My invention will be fully understood'by reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein Figure 1 shows a plate and a divided block locked together by my invention. Fig. 2 shows the same parts unlocked. Fig. 3 is a detail in perspective of one form of the springfastening. Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 1, showing a modified form of the fastening which may be employed.

In said drawings, A represents the block, and B the plate. The former is made in halves, as clearly illustrated, and the latter is provided with an under recess or cavity, 1), of T or some analogous shape.

The spring 0, which is one form of fastening device employed, is made of a flat piece of metal, doubled together in such way that when unconfined it will assume the shape shown in Fig. 3. The ends a of the spring are bent over toward each other, and preferably are cut so they may pass each other when the spring is compressed. 7 At the point of doubling, the spring may be given a circular form, 0, usual where it is desired to obtain a spring action for the ends, and where this isdone the adjoining face or faces of theparts of the block are shaped to conform to said part c. The spring thus constructed is inserted between the halves of the block, with its ends lying in the mouth of the recess b, and the halves of the block are then brought together as closely as may be. This causes the collapse of the spring andvthe points 0 thereof to lap beyond one another, so that an edge view of said spring shows a T the limbs whereof enter the corresponding parts of the recessb in the plate. When the form is unlocked, the spring automatically spreads, forces the parts of the block apart, and the plate may then be lifted off. In this form of spring it will be noticed that the points 0 and the circular part 0 form the lateral enlargements already mentioned and prevent the fastening from being drawn out of either plate or block so long as the pressure of the form is present.

The fastening may also be used without the 8 lower enlargement, and be held in the block by the friction between it and the parts of the block embracing it. This is a very simple form of the invention, and is shown in Fig. 4.

In all cases the fastening is to be used in such 8 5 number as the size of the block may require, and by making the recesses in the block and plate in longitudinal grooves it may be inserted from the end thereof without dificulty.

The lateral enlargements may obviously be 9 upon one side only of the fastenings, if pre ferred.

It is also obvious that the recesses in the blocks may be formed wholly in one of the halves thereof. 5

I claim- 1. The combination, with the plate and the divided supporting-block, of a fastening de vice having lateral enlargements at each end, tion, and adapted to be pressed into locking 10 both the plate and one or both of the abutting engagement in the recess of the plate by the faces of the block having recesses adapted to embracing force of the block, substantially as zleiceii ve and engage said enlarged portions of specified.

e astening, substantially as specified. v 1 2. The combination, with the recessed plate IN PRATT' and the divided supporting bed-block, of a Witnesses: spring held to the block by the embrace of the T. EVERETT BROWN, parts of the latter exerted upon its lower por- H. M. MUNDAY. i 

